Brendon Energy has secured a RCEF grant to assess the feasibility of developing renewable energy near Bishops Lydeard station. The renewable power would charge a battery at the station which would then be used to power Go-op electric trains, which will run from there across Somerset and up to Swindon. The project is being developed in partnership with G0-OP trains and West Somerset Railway.

As part of this project we want to assess the extent of public support. To assess this, a short survey of 10 questions has been developed. The survey also allows you to register to get further updates on the project and to indicate if you might want to invest in the project.

Voting (online) for the fund at this years AGM has resulted in the following worthy causes benefiting from grants:

• £764 Wiveliscombe Community Centre for new LED lighting
• £682 In the Mix Project for outdoor equipment for young people
• £477 Wiveliscombe Area Partnership towards new computing equipment
• £289 Jim Laker Fund towards the costs of erecting the Christmas tree in Wivey
• £289 Taunton and Somerset Samaritans towards the costs of running their helpline
• £500 Practical Action

Its always nice to see the Community Fund money being used. One of the beneficiaries of the last round of grants was Plain Pond Allotments, who were able to buy a new communal shed for the allotment growers. Plain Pond Allotment Committee member Jane Pinn and BE Director Richard Brunning, are pictured below shortly after the shed’s installation.

At the Brendon Energy AGM in November the members voted on the applications received for the 10 Parishes Community Fund. The following causes received funding:

• £500 Plain Pond Allotments for a communal tool shed
• £300 High Park Music for a saxophone and mouth pieces
• £610 Kingsmead School PTA towards new football goals
• £590 Wiveliscombe Primary PTFA for a new laptop for music lessons
• £250 Kingsmead Educational Trust to fund schoolchildren in Kitwe, Zambia, to attend a sustainability conference
• £250 Shower Power to help to create solar power shower for refugees on Lesvos island, Greece